That’s the bottom line. She’s driving me up the wall, and my reaction to her is so unpredictable that I swear one of these days I’m going to lose my mind. If I haven’t already, that is. Things are a bit questionable. Especially given that someone is walking up our driveway who looks an awful lot like Farrah.
I stoop to pick up the pieces of wood I just split, throwing them onto the pile that’s been steadily growing for the last hour.
Another glance at the intruder confirms my suspicions. That’s definitely Farrah, and based on the expression on her face, she’s pissed about something. Did she walk all the wayhere or just up the driveway? I usually keep the gate at the end closed unless I’m expecting someone, so she’d have had to walk regardless. I bet that pissed her off even more than she already was when she came to confront me.
I take a deep breath to keep myself from getting worked up before she gets all the way to me. I’ve managed to keep my shitty words and angry outbursts hidden from Finn, but I’m not sure how easy it’ll be to hold my tongue if she’s got a full head of steam.
The woman makes good time. Her anger is likely giving her a speed boost, which oddly makes me want to laugh. I don’t think she’d appreciate me smirking at her when she’s already pissed at whatever imaginary thing I’ve done this time. I’ve practically been a Boy Scout these past few weeks, given how we started.
She’s still got a ways to go before she makes it all the way to where I’m splitting wood, so I decide to pop another log onto the stump. I figure if I can expel any lingering frustrations before she gets here, I might keep a cooler head.
The guys would be so proud of me right now.
I manage to split this last log before Farrah finally makes it all the way up to the house.
She’s breathing hard by the time she gets here, her face red from the exertion. “Why the heck is your driveway so dang long?”
Farrah drops her palms to her knees while she tries to catch her breath.
I am not looking at her ass.
She’s got a great one though.
“Miss Nelson!” Finn shouts, glee taking over his entire face.
Farrah’s anger melts in half a second. She squats down at the incoming missile that is my son, bracing herself when he wraps his little arms around her neck.
“I missed you,” Finn says.
“I missed you too, kiddo.” She pulls away and gives him a critical once-over. “Have you grown? I thought I told you that wasn’t allowed.”
Finn giggles. “I can’t help it. I eated all my veggies like Daddy tells me.”
Farrah looks at him in shock. “You did? Well, I suppose it’s okay then.”
“What are you doing here?” I interrupt, not liking the tightness pinching my chest.
“Finn, honey, would you mind heading inside for a bit? I need to talk to your dad.”
“Okay, Miss Nelson. But you’ll stay for dinner, right?”
My jaw drops at his invitation. He’s never invited anyone but Holt’s girls to have a meal with us.
Farrah smiles fondly at him, and for half a second, I think she’s about to accept. “That would be wonderful, sweetheart, but I have plans to eat with a friend tonight.”
“Oh.” Finn’s shoulders slump before he perks up again. “How about tomorrow?”
A laugh falls from her chest. “We’ll see, kiddo. I’ll see you again soon though, okay?”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
Finn heads off inside the house, and we both stand there for a second, watching him go. Then her eyes narrow at me again. I’m caught up in the sparks flying out of her brown eyes and miss what she says at first.
“I can’t believe you’d do something so absurd. I don’t need your charity or pity. I’m fine without your help, okay?”
How is it possible for someone to look adorable while being this angry? And why the fuck am I even noticing that? She’s berating me for something I didn’t catch. I should begetting just as angry in response. That’s my normal mode when someone’s screaming at me.
